Global News - June 2008

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Probiotic bacteria 'could save rare frogs from dangerous skin disease'

Mon 09 June 2008 17:00 UK — North America,Reptiles

Researchers from the US believe they have made a breakthrough which could help protect rare species of frogs across the globe.

A team from James Madison University showed that a probiotic bacteria known as pedobacter cryoconitis could be used to ward off the deadly chytridiomycosis fungus that kills many rare frogs every year.

What's more, the research indicated that the bacteria could help save endangered yellow-legged frog from another disease called batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Previously, scientists had been concerned that the skin condition could wipe out the frogs in their native Sierra Nevada habitats.

Laboratory tests showed that yellow-legged frogs bathed in a pedobacter solution were able to resist Bd.

Separate research carried out by the James Madison University found that some frogs in the wild werer also able to fight off the dangerous skin disease. They noted that resistant frigs tended to have higher levels of anti-Bd bacteria than those that died.

Research Brianna Lam explained: "Taken together, the studies suggest that increasing the proportion of individuals with anti-Bd skin bacteria in at risk populations can halt the epidemic spread of the lethal pathogen."

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